People who swear by the effects of vitamin E in keeping their skin healthy might soon add maintaining bone health to its long list of benefits. In a study, which appeared in the Journal of Nutrition & Intermediary Metabolism, researchers from Toyo University in Japan have found that a vitamin E derivative called tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) can regulate certain cell signals that result in bone degradation.

The team investigated whether TRF could inhibit a process called Janus kinase (JAK) signaling, which plays an important role in bone development and metabolism. An earlier study had identified JAK signaling to affect the formation and differentiation of bone cells, in particular, whether they become osteoclasts (cells that absorb bone tissue) or osteoblasts (those that help with bone formation). They also looked at how TRF affects the expression of a protein called lysyl oxidase (LOX), a compound essential in the development of bone cells and one that JAK signaling suppresses when it is activated.

In the study, the team looked at how TRF affects LOX expression in osteoblasts by using cultured bone cell lines. The cell lines were applied with differing doses of TRF and were observed for a whole day. After the cell lines were tested, the team found that those that were treated with TRF had increased LOX expression, which meant improved bone formation and development, as well as reduced JAK protein expression and activation.

From the findings, the researchers concluded that TRF has the potential to prevent bone deterioration.

“Vitamin E has been proposed to have positive effects on both bone and muscle mass owing to its antioxidant properties, rendering a theoretical consequential lower fracture risk with a higher alpha-tocopherol intake,” the researchers wrote. “Our results support these experimental findings: higher intakes were associated with higher BMD [bone mineral density], higher lean muscle mass, and lower fracture risk. In addition, recent randomized trials have indicated that vitamin E and C supplements have a positive effect on BMD and muscle mass in elderly women and men.”

Getting more vitamin E

Fortunately, many foods are rich in vitamin E. Here are just some foods to get you started. (h/t to Healthline.com)